Sole.



' Patented Oct.- 3, I899. H. MABLUW.

No. 634,3 6l.

SOLE.

(Application filed on. a, 1898.)

(No Model.)

l -Res S e s THE nowms PETERS CQ. vucTo-umo. wnsummon. n. c.

UNITED STATES HENRY MARLOIV, OF

PATENT OFFICE.

LONDON, ENGLAND.

SOLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 634,361, dated October 3, 1899.

Application filed October 8, 1898.

To (all wit/1771 it may concern.-

Be it known that I, HENRY MARLow, a subject of the Queen of Great Britain, residing at 29 Fursbury Park road, London, England, have invented certain new and useful Im provements in or Relating to the Soles of Boots and Shoes, of which the following'is a specification.

The object of this invention is to maintain the original lasted shape of the front or vamp of a boot or a shoe while in wear, and so prevent the formation of permanent creases across the toe portion between that and the instep.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an edge view of a plate made according to my invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective View of a shoe, showing one of my plates secured therein, the plate being shown in dotted lines. Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of a shoe, the plate being shown in dotted lines.

To carry this invention into practice, I stamp, shape, and temper a steel plate or one of hard brass or of other suitable material having a springiness to an approximate configuration of a leather sole, and by a hole in the heel end I attach said plate in position with the forward or tread portion free to adjust itself longitudinally and transversely to follow the shape of tread of the wearer. This plate has its front end slightly upturned, as shown, and its rear end is secured to the sole within the shoe by a single fastening passed through the hole at the said end. a

Serial No. 693,017. (No model.)

By this contrivance boots and shoes when old or well worn retain in the front all the appearance of newly-lasted ones, and although all the bending of the vamp takes place while walking or kneeling the sole-spring brings back the front of the boot or shoe to its original appearance and keeps it free from creases.

My invention has only one object-viz. the prevention of creases in the upper front, a result obtained by securing the steel or other metal plate by one attachment only at the heel portion, the other part being free to slide forwardly and sidewise to follow the Varied movement of the wearers foot during walking, kneeling, or other exertions, the front upper always recovering its uncreased and freshly-lasted condition until the boot or shoe is completely worn out.

That I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

A boot or shoe provided with a spring-plate of substantially the contour of the sole and fastened within the shoe at the heel portion, with its front end extending to the toe of the shoe and upturned and free to move to prevent formation of creases in the front portion of the shoe, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in'presence of two subscribing witnesses.

HENRY MARLOW.

Witnesses:

HENRY GARDNER, RICHARD OoRE GARDNER. 

